From Croatia to Canada and back: why one young family returned home

Nela with her husband and son (Photo: Private album)

Growing up in a small village near Sisak, life was simple and quiet. In 2011, she moved with her family to Canada in search of better opportunities. More than a decade later, with a young family of her own, she made the journey back.

Nela Janković shares with us her story of leaving Croatia, adapting to life in Canada, and ultimately deciding to return home, as well as the lessons she hopes to pass on to others considering the same path.

Where in Croatia did you grow up?

I was born in Sisak, a small city near Zagreb, but I spent my childhood in an even smaller nearby village called Bestrma. That is where I grew up and lived with my family until 2011.

Life there was quiet and simple, very different from what my life would later become.

When did you leave Croatia and what led your family to move to Canada?

My parents, my brother and I left Croatia in January 2011. My parents were originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and after the war they settled in Croatia. Unfortunately, finding stable work was very difficult for them.

We lived in a village where life was extremely basic. There was no running water and no street lighting. My brother and I had to walk about 30 minutes every day, regardless of the weather, just to reach the main road and catch the bus to school.

(Photo: Private album)

As we grew older, my parents felt strongly that they wanted to give us better opportunities. When the chance to move to Canada appeared, they saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They sold everything they could and decided to start over.

In January 2011 we arrived in Canada. I still remember stepping out into the freezing air, it was around −30°C. Despite the cold, we were smiling because we knew we were beginning a completely new chapter.

What was life like in Canada as a teenager?

The beginning was not easy.

I started Grade 8 while my brother was placed in Grade 10, which meant we were suddenly separated at school. That was difficult because we had always looked out for one another.

At first we lived with my uncle, but soon my parents managed to find a small apartment for our family. Because I spoke some English, I quickly became the person who helped my parents with many everyday tasks, going to the bank, the post office or handling paperwork.

(Photo: Private album)

Looking back, that period shaped me in many ways. Even today people often say I seem very mature for my age. That maturity probably comes from that time.

At 13, I often went to bed thinking about things most children never worry about, when the rent was due, whether my parents would be paid on time, or if we would have enough money for Christmas dinner.

School itself turned out to be better than I expected. My brother and I both attended Catholic schools in Mississauga. I worked hard and always tried to do my best because I never wanted anyone to look down on me because I was an immigrant.

The main differences between me and my classmates were my accent and the fact that I could not take French classes due to my ESL status.

Despite the challenges, there were many things I loved about Canada. For someone who grew up in a small village, it sometimes felt like living in a film. Suddenly I was catching a city bus outside my building, wearing a school uniform and using a locker full of books, things I had previously only seen in movies.

(Photo: Private album)

Family time also became incredibly important. My parents worked extremely hard, and still do today, so the moments when we were all together, especially during holidays or birthdays, were very meaningful.

At the same time, life in Canada moves very quickly. No matter how early you wake up, it always feels like you are rushing. Many Croatians in Canada are extremely hardworking people. That strong work ethic is simply part of who we are.

But the lifestyle also comes with a cost, sometimes financial, sometimes in terms of health or time spent away from family. Canada offers a great life, but that life definitely has its price.

(Photo: Private album)

When did you decide to return to Croatia?

I returned to Croatia in August 2023. In 2020 I married someone I had actually known since childhood. He had moved from Germany to Canada, and when we got married we both knew that one day we wanted to return to Croatia.

The only question was when. Then in 2021 our son was born, and everything changed. It was no longer just about the two of us, we had a child whose future we needed to consider.

Canada had become extremely expensive for young families. Rent was very high, buying a home felt unrealistic, and daycare costs were like paying a second rent each month.

We sat down and carefully considered all our options. The more we talked about it, the clearer the answer became. Our hearts were telling us the same thing: we would be happiest back home in Sisak.

There we had a home waiting for us, daycare is free, and life offers something that is difficult to describe, peace of mind.

What was the most challenging part of moving back?

Interestingly, even though Croatian is my first language, adjusting to everyday administrative life in Croatia was one of the more difficult parts.

My first job after returning was in an office dealing with documents and employee requests. Sometimes I even used Google Translate to scan official paperwork just to make sure I fully understood every detail.

Emotionally, it was also challenging watching our son go through such a big transition. He was only two and a half years old when we moved, so suddenly everything in his world changed, his surroundings, toys, cartoons and even the grandparents around him.

As a mother I worried about everything: whether he would make friends, how his first days at daycare would go, and whether he would adapt easily.

Thankfully, children are incredibly resilient. After the initial adjustments, everything gradually fell into place. Today we can honestly say we are happier than ever.

(Photo: Private album)

How much has Croatia changed since you left?

Croatia has changed a lot since I left as a child. Now that I have returned as an adult with my own family, I see those changes much more clearly.

Many people say Canada is the land of opportunity, and that is certainly true. But Croatia also offers opportunities for people willing to work hard and build something for themselves.

The country is more connected with Europe, and speaking additional languages opens many doors. Young people who are motivated can create meaningful lives here.

What gives me hope is seeing more young people returning home. Croatians gather knowledge and experience abroad, and when they come back they bring new ideas and energy with them.

What do you see as the biggest differences between life in Croatia and Canada?

Canada offers incredible opportunities and a very international lifestyle. You meet people from all over the world. Croatia offers something more personal. For me it is my language, culture, traditions and family.

Canada gave me experience and growth, but Croatia gives me a sense of belonging. It feels like home in a way that Canada never fully did.

Do you miss anything about Canada?

Of course.

I often say Croatia raised me, but Canada shaped me. It will always be an important part of my life story. I miss my friends and family who still live there, and some of the small everyday things, especially junk food and Tim Hortons coffee. I sometimes joke that one day when I am old and grey I will wake up with a random craving for a Tim Hortons coffee.

But when it comes to lifestyle, I do not miss it. At this stage of my life, I would not change the life we have built here.

(Photo: Private album)

You recently started a YouTube channel. What inspired it?

My husband encouraged me for a long time to start documenting my story. In my almost 30 years of life I have experienced things that some people only face much later.

For a while I hesitated because sharing personal experiences publicly can be intimidating.

But since returning to Croatia I have met many people who also moved back from abroad. During those conversations I noticed something interesting, many people said, “I wish I had known this before moving back.”

That inspired me to start my YouTube channel.

I want to create a space where people thinking about returning home can find honest experiences and practical information. My goal is to show the real everyday life of a young family that decided to come back to Croatia, the beautiful moments as well as the challenges.

At the same time, I hope the older generation can see how much Croatia has changed and how many young people are choosing to return and build their futures here.

You can find Nela’s channel here: https://youtube.com/@withnela

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withnela.official/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@withnela?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc